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Oct252010

Washington, DC -- U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today hailed the U.S. Department of Transportation’s announcement that California will receive an additional $902 million in federal funding for high-speed and inter-city rail projects in California.

“I have just spoken with Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, who indicated to me that California will be receiving $902 million as a step toward building a high-speed rail system,” Senator Feinstein said.

“He told me, ‘The money is going to go to areas where the projects are ready to go, and California is ready to go.’ He went on to say that we have a very hard-working and dedicated team working on high-speed rail in California, and I second that.

“High-speed rail has been a dream of mine for many years, and it is becoming a reality. It will help California compete in the 21st century while reducing greenhouse gases, curbing congestion and reducing our dependence on oil. On top of that, this project will create tens of thousands of jobs and provide a real boost to commerce.”

The $902 million will be used to advance the design and construction of the system.

In January, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that California had been selected to receive $2.25 billion in stimulus funding, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, to help develop a high-speed rail system in the state.

The $2.25 billion will be spent on work in high-speed rail corridors linking San Francisco to San Jose, Los Angeles to Anaheim, Fresno to Bakersfield, and Merced to Fresno.

Tens of thousands of jobs associated with this project are anticipated, with major work beginning by 2011, according to the California High-Speed Rail Authority.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the $902 million will be spent on the following projects: